Baseball Hitting

Who says you're supposed to stride forward???

You should sit back on the ball. Power comes more from pivot foot triggering the hips which triggers the shoulder which, etc.

But that back foot shouldn't step out, so...

Possibilities... He may feel the need to step back because he's not well balanced to start with. (Feet not shoulder width apart, or bat held too far back not straight out off shoulder.)

He may lack confidence - i.e. it's an unconscious move away from the ball to give himself more time.

Try some soft toss swings from one knee - back knee on ground, starting with one hand - top hand grip then two hands. There's no way the leg can move back, and he may get a better sense of his contact position out over the plate on the ball.

More mechanics at www.textras.bc.ca/webball/

Hope this helps.